Jackson Free Press

Jackson State University is dedicating a laboratory and a new power-systems degree track in its engineering program, thanks to a grant from Entergy. The power company has awarded JSU with $400,000 to purchase equipment for a new laboratory and an additional $100,000 for student scholarships.

The grant, which Entergy announced Oct. 20, is part of Entergy's Destination Education initiative, which has also funded programs in early childhood education and the science of nuclear energy. Engineering students in the power systems track will study the management of energy transmission and electric grids.

"My guess is we'll set it up as an endowed scholarship fund for $100,000, which would pay out about $25,000 a year and we'll use that perpetually to fund scholarships," JSU President Ronald Mason said. "It's a great symbol of the growing partnerships between Jackson State and the Jackson business community. This is an investment in the future of the city and the central region."

Most of the equipment funded through the grant is already in place at the JSU laboratory, Mason said.

Entergy indicated that its grant will increase the quality of Mississippi's utility work force.

"One of the issues the state has is an educated work force," Entergy spokeswoman Mara Hartman said. "We saw this as a way to assist Jackson State's program and grow more engineers here, not only for Entergy but for any Mississippi business that can use them."